Manor House, Outskirts of Ceres City
Capella
November 14, 3053
Security had been stepped up around the arrival of Ion Rush, and appears to be once again with the anticipated arrival of the Master of Ceremonies for the investiture. It strikes some as a bit odd that the Duke would arrive two days in advance. It is a confusion that is quickly rectified as the convoy pulls up to the estate and the assembled though it is not in fact the Duke of Capella whose arrival is being honored. Exiting the other vehicles are a large number of security personnel including significant numbers of Death Commandos who take up a secure perimeter prior to the limo coming to a stop and the door opened. Stepping out of the limo is James Teng, the Confederation’s Strategic Military Director. Both Kasei and Ion greet him, neither appear surprised by the appearance. As the three men and then the rest of you filter in, the Death Commandos and additional security do as well. The Rangers are informed that non-citizens will not be permitted any weapons ceremonial or otherwise while the SMD is present.
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Shortly after the announcement about weapons is made, Rosk sends a note to Hiro.
"Hiro, I understand the need for security. I happen to have a katana with my, a mark of my graduation from Sun Zhang. I would be honored if you could hold it for me until such a time that the need for strictest security is ended."
It is less than an hour later that there is a knock on Rosk's door. Opening it he finds Hiro standing outside in dress uniform including a pair of white gloves. "I have come to honor your request."
Rosk goes over to a long thin pine box, tied with a green silk band. He unties it, revealing a black saya with silver script on it. He picks up the entire box, and brings it to Hiro.
"Thank you. It was been good to get to know you over these weeks. I cannot imagine the amount of pressure you are under right now, and so it means a great deal that you have taken time to honor me with this."
Hiro takes it with the appropriate respect. "If only more of the Rangers were like you."
Rosk bows and replies, "The painting is almost done. I shall make sure it is complete after the investiture."
Returning the bow Hiro responds, "I look forward to seeing it then."
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Much as when Ion arrived a dinner is held is his honor with family and guests present. There is far more of a security presence though. The estate is a full armed camp with security present in every hall, building and courtyard. Given the importance of them men in attendance it’s only natural. There is peace and solitude in your quarters but even there the sounds of soldiers’ footsteps in the halls beyond intrude upon the stillness. At the dinner the majority of conversations are spoken in Mandarin unless interacting directly with the Ranger tables. With them sit familiar members of the security details who serve as translators when necessary. Out of respect for the guests, speeches and toasts are provided in English – some more heavily accented than others. After the speeches end, Teng addresses a comment to Kato in Mandarin which receives a short reply. When not immediately translated but asked, the translator shares that the Colonel was asked to a private meeting with the Strategic Military Director the following day and the Colonel had replied that he’d be honored.
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The following day Kato arrives once again at his grandfather’s study, a pair of Death’s Commandos standing guard outside in place of the Atayde Guard that had been stationed there. Upon his arrival he is ushered in to where Teng waits with another pair of Death Commandos placed as unobtrusively as possible. Kato bows and Teng nods before gesturing to a seat. Once seated, Teng looks at him.
“Your story is an unusual one. Were it not for the unwavering loyalty of your grandfather, his dedication to the Confederation and the evidence he has shared with us on your motivations and your actions, we would not be having this conversation now, much less seriously considering elevating you to nobility and Sheng no less. So. I wish to hear it from you.”
Kato is a bit surprised but happy to relate it. “Where would you like me to begin and how much of it do you want to hear?”
“From the beginning, and all of it.”
“That will take some time…”
“Then you had best begin.”
He nods and then starts, speaking of his family’s history briefly touching on Echo company, the Nishamura family, the involvement with the 4th Tau Ceti Rangers and both their Star League origins and traditions as well as the close ties with the Confederation after the fall of the Star League. Not wishing to spend much time on ancient history he moves on and puts it in context with his family very much holding to those Star League traditions and ideals. They were loyal to the Confederation, but at their core they adhered to the principles of the Star League far more so than the three that govern Capellan Philosophy. It was that true devotion that permitted the Federated Suns to accept them as nobles as well as confirm their children and other family members in similar circumstances. This isn’t to say it wasn’t without restriction, but it was manageable and acceptable.
Kato spoke of his appreciation and great respect for the philosophies the Confederation was founded on and still governed by. Growing up he saw how people behaved differently as citizens than those who had not earned that status. It was a process that he had started before the transition first to the Tikonov Free Republic and then just a couple of years later to the Federated Suns. Completing it helped bring peace to a chaotic time and he enjoyed helping people and providing protection and service back to the citizens. It was the rock that he held onto in the midst of turbulent seas.
Teng interrupts him at this point, “You had a scholarship and a place at the Capellan War College available to you. If you felt the call then, why did you turn away?”
“I was already pledged to be Grandfather’s heir. At sixteen I believed that door would always remain open. Should I have gone to the Capellan War College so quickly after the end of the 4th Succession War, I wasn’t certain whether I would see my parents or younger siblings again. I am not as indoctrinated as my parents, but I believe largely that the principles of the Star League were good ones. Once I committed to NAMA, my path was set for the foreseeable future.”
“So, you claim poor judgement led you astray.”
“No, sir. I believed in my optimism that both things were possible. That we sit in this room, having this conversation, leads me to believe I was correct. While the Rangers have fought against the Confederation before, they have not done so while I have been with them. I have not raised arms against the State either in my time in the AFFS nor in my time leaving it, and I have continued to honor my commitment to the Confederation throughout.”
“Agreed.” The confirmation catches Kato off guard, but before he can ask he is told to continue.
Kato relates his time at NAMA, meeting his wife there and his reaching the rank of Sergeant Major. Had he been from a normal Federated Suns family he would have been enrolled in OCS as his marks and performance exceeded others granted that honor. It was a cost to be paid for his family’s origin and one he’d come to terms with before attending. He went on to discuss briefly his advanced studies in strategy and tactics before graduation, his conduct in the War of ’39, the incidents that earned him a Silver Sunburst, his first ‘Mech and an invitation to return for further schooling including OCS. That opportunity pointed to a willingness at least by some to accept him based on his character and talent rather than his origin. He earned promotion to the rank of Kommandant before a petty Lyran General forced him out. The reference to the general as “petty” evokes a small chuckle from Teng and he waves at Kato to continue. Kato speaks of his time with the Rangers the highs and the lows, the challenges and the rewards and the circumstances leading to his promotion to Commanding Officer. Finally he covers his tenure as CO and all of the events up through arrival on Capella. Throughout Teng asks enough questions to tease out details that make it clear he is extremely well informed on Kato’s background. It also becomes clear that Teng has personally reviewed gun camera footage from at least a couple of Kato’s fights against Clan Jade Falcon as Teng digs further into how the Rangers were successful against the Clans when so many other units were ripped to shreds and destroyed. Hours pass in the process, but neither of the two men mind. They wrap up their conversation with a bit of a return to philosophy and how Kato’s insistence on leaving no one behind is an extension of the Lorix Order with those under his command both protectors and citizens in this extension.
Eventually Teng stands signaling an end to the interview, with Kato rising as well. “This has been a good conversation. It has been nice to hear your story firsthand. I look forward to your elevation tomorrow,” and with that pronouncement leaves, the Death Commandos in the room going with him and Kato now comfortable that things will progress as expected.
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Topic: Operation INVESTITURE - "8. Preparations" (Read 341 times)